Healthy Kids Resource Center Publications | Extension

Curriculum Materials
Healthy Kids Resource Center: Physical Activities To Do With Your Children Section Children have different needs at each age and stage of their development. Each child is also unique. If it's been a while since you've had children in the house, check out this list for activities that can help children learn, have fun, experience success, and feel good about themselves. Lindsay, A. 2020, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno
Nutrition Activities to do with Your Children Nutrition activities that can help teach children healthy choices regarding food, while having fun. Lindsay, A. 2020, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, IP
Fact Sheets
A Balanced Diet A balanced diet gives your body all of the essential nutrients it needs to stay active, healthy, and strong. Learn how you can balance your diet to get the energy you need throughout the day. Buffington, A., Lindsay, A. 2021, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-21-106
Carbohydrates, Fat and Protein in Recovery Nutritious and balanced diet helps normalize brain chemistry and provides sufficient energy and a variety of nutrients during recovery that support both physical and mental health. Lindsay, A., Norman-Burgdolf, H., & Tovar, L. 2024, University of Nevada, Reno Extension, FS-24-01
Cardio Endurance \| Heart Smart Cardio- Respiratory, or “Cardio” Endurance is an important element to children’s physical fitness. Lindsay, A. and Byington, T. 2020, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-20-14
Eating Healthy at Restaurants - Choose healthy items no matter where you dine Making healthier choices at restaurants can make all the difference to maintain a healthy energy balance . Lindsay, A., Buffington, A. 2021, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-21-101
Energy Balance Energy balance is being mindful of what we eat, drink, and how much physical activity we are getting. Focusing on energy balance can lead to a healthy lifestyle. Lindsay, A., Buffington, A. 2021, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-21-99
Engagement Strategies That Promote Physical Activity Using positive engagement strategies in fun, playful social settings are key to promoting physical activity. Lindsay, A. and Byington, T. 2020, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, FS-20-22
Flexibility \| Reach for the Stars! Flexibility is an important part of a child’s fitness and includes movements like bending, twisting and stretching. Lindsay, A. and Byington, T. 2020, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-20-15
Fundamental Movement Skills \| Active Kids Are Active Adolescents For many children sports and physical activity aren’t natural, aren’t easy and it may not be fun! Lindsay, A. and Byington, T. 2020, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-20-12
Get Active! This fact sheet contains information on ways to stay active and the amount of time the activity should be. Lindsay, A. and Constantino, N. 2010, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-10-81
Get Fit! This fact sheet contains information on ways to get fit and how to do them. Learn the amount of time it takes to do these exercises and many more. Lindsay, A. and Constantino, N. 2010, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, FS-10-73
Get Moving! It can be a challenge to schedule an exercise plan into your busy life. Try stepping up your current routine without adding more commitments to your schedule and get moving! Lindsay, A. 2010, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-10-78
Get Regular Starting a fitness program is only half the battle. Maintaining a physically active lifestyle is the ultimate challenge. As you progress through the steps to building an active lifestyle, you reach the final step, Get Regular! Lindsay, A. 2009, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-10-79
Get Up, Get Out! Get Up, Get Out isn’t about exercise or hard workouts at the gym, it is leisure and fun that will help lay the foundation for becoming more active. Lindsay, A. 2009, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-10-80
Go, Slow, and Whoa Foods We can help our children recognize which foods are better choices with GO, SLOW and WHOA. Buffington, A. and Lindsay, A. 2021, Extension \| University of Nevada, FS-21-86
Healthy Tips for Families: Lifelong Healthy Habits Start at Home. Today’s children have different options for food and play than children had in the past. Sadly, many food choices contain more calories and fewer nutrients than a child needs to grow healthy. Try these 10 tips to help your family! Lindsay, A., Buffington, A. 2021, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-21-100
Healthy Tips For Picky Eaters Exploring Food: How to Explore New Food with Preschoolers Lindsay, A., & Buffington, A. 2021, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-21-102
Hunger & Fullness - Building Tummy Awareness It's wise for parents and teachers to talk to children about what it means to be hungry and what it means to be full. Buffington, A. and Lindsay, A. 2021, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-21-88
Kids Win When Family Meals Are A Priority Make Mealtime Quality Time Buffington, A. and Lindsay, A. 2021, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-21-89
Learning to Like New Foods - Cucumbers are cool Does it seem like your preschooler only wants to eat the same foods every day? Buffington, A. and Lindsay, A. 2020, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-21-87
Muscle and Bone Strength \| Muscles in Motion Did you know that people who are more physically active generally use more energy even at rest than those who are not as physically active? Lindsay, A. and Byington, T. 2020, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-20-17
Nutrition, the Gut and a Healthy Mind in Recovery Healing and restoring the gut during recovery takes time and patience. It will also change as someone moves through detoxification into long-term recovery. Prioritizing fiber-rich foods that include both prebiotic and probiotic sources will set up an individual with the best habits to ultimately support their health. Lindsay, A., Norman-Burgdolf, H., & Tovar, L. 2024, University of Nevada, Reno Extension, FS-24-02
Perceptual Motor Development \| Connecting the Brain & the Body Perceptual motor development connects a child’s perceptual or sensory skills (his brain) to his motor skills (his body) so they can perform a variety of movements and confidently interact with their environment. Lindsay, A. and Byington, T. 2020, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, FS-20-18
Physical Activity Improves Brain and Cognitive Functions Children who are more physically active perform better academically and have better memory and attention. Lindsay, A. and Byington, T. 2020, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-20-23
Physical Activity, How Much Is Enough? \| Active Kids Are Healthy Kids Just for Preschoolers and Their Families Lindsay, A. and Byington, T. 2020, Extension,\| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-20-19
Portion Sizes / Tamaño de Porciones Children need smaller quantities of food than adults do for their small bodies. USDA’s MyPlate “rule of thumb” says the serving size for a child should be ½ of an adult’s serving. Many Nutrition Facts labels do not express this. It is up to the adults in their lives to ensure the proper portion sizes. Lindsay, A., & Buffington, A. 2021, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-21-104
Screen Time \| Make Time to Unplug Increased time in front of a screen means less time being physically active, contributing to higher weight and BMI, increased caloric intake & unhealthy food choices. Lindsay, A. and Byington, T. 2020, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, FS-20-21
Sedentary Behavior \| Don't Just Sit, and Sit, and Sit! Being sedentary can result in more sitting and less time spent being physically active which can lead to obesity and greater risk for having diabetes and other chronic health problems as an adult. Lindsay, A. and Byington, T. 2020, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-20-20
Shopping with Kids Your Game Plan to Grocery Shopping With Kids Lindsay, A., & Buffington, A. 2021, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-21-105
Snack & Mealtime Routines A regular routine of meals and snacks helps discourage eating all day, and preschoolers like it because they know what to expect. Lindsay, A., & Buffington, A. 2021, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-21-103
Talking Positively At Mealtimes - Your Words Matter As your child's caregiver, you play the biggest role in their eating behavior. Buffington, A. and Lindsay, A. 2021, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-21-90
Teaching Children To Make Healthy Choices - Empowering Children Through Language If young children are taught early and practice healthy choices, they will make better food choices as they grow up. Buffington, A. and Lindsay, A. 2020, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-21-85
The Elements of Fitness \| Fit Kids Are Healthy Kids Children should engage in indoor and outdoor active play in their pre-school and at home. Lindsay, A. and Byington, T. 2020, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-20-16
Using a Pedometer Physical activity is one of the most important things we can do to improve our health. However, finding time to incorporate an exercise regime into a daily schedule can often be a challenge. To gain some health benefits, simply increase your number of daily steps and make them more intentional and brisk! Lindsay, A. 2009, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-08-32
Vitamins and Minerals in Substance Use Recovery Vitamins and minerals, also called micronutrients, are necessary for healthy development, disease prevention, optimal metabolism and overall well-being, especially during recovery from substance use. Lindsay, A., Norman-Burgdolf, H., and Ganim, H. 2024, University of Nevada, Reno Extension, FS-24-03
What Is Physical Literacy? \| Early Start, Active for Life A young child who is physically literate is one who has the motivation confidence, knowledge, skills, and fitness necessary to enjoy a physically active lifestyle Lindsay, A. and Byington, T. 2020, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-20-13
Informational Publications
Healthy Kids Resource Center: Energy Balance & Childhood Obesity Section The Healthy Kids Resource Center provides evidence-based research, resources, curricula, activities and materials that focus on obesity prevention and promoting energy balance in your child's life. Teach children the importance of both eating a balanced diet with foods they like and being physically active. Lindsay, A. 2020, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno
Healthy Kids Resource Center: Policies, Procedures & Partners Section Find links to Federal and State policies and regulations Lindsay, A. and Taylor, S. 2020, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno
Summer Safety for Preschool Children Summertime is full of fun and sun, but it is important to understand the risks of excessive sun and heat exposure and know how to avoid them. Learn about sun and heat safety tips to keep preschool children safe. Mansanas, K. 2026, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno
Journals
A media effort addressing preschool inactivity through family, community, and Extension collaboration To improve healthy eating and movement in children, a media project was developed with the help of community partners that promoted dance and play through music. Results indicated that children who participated in the program demonstrated improvement in healthy behaviors (significant at p < .05). Lindsay, A. 2010, Journal of National Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, 5 (11).
Development and Piloting of a Novel Evaluation Tool for Childhood Obesity Prevention Programs This manuscript details the iterative process used to develop the Childhood Obesity Prevention Program in Extension Rubric (COPPER), provides findings from the pilot process, and reveals the broad application and potential of this tool within Extension and nutrition education. Burgdolf, H., Lindsay, A., Webber, K., Parker, J., and Adams, I. 2023, Journal of Human Sciences and Extension
Dynamic energy balance: An integrated framework for discussing diet and physical activity in obesity prevention - Is it more than eating less and exercising more? This paper highlights the importance of advancing nutrition educators’ understanding about PA, and its synergistic role with diet, and the value of incorporating a dynamic energy balance approach into obesity-prevention programs. Manore, M., Larson-Meyer, E., Lindsay, A., Hongu, N. and Houtkooper, L. 2017, Nutrients 9(8):905. doi:10.3390/nu9080905. Available at: www.mdpi.com/journal/nutrients
Field assessment for obesity prevention in children and parents: Physical activity, fitness and body composition. This report will assist educators in identifying and selecting appropriate field-based assessments for measurement of PA, physical fitness, and body composition for children and adults. Specific guidelines, references, and resources are given for selecting assessment methods and test within these 3 areas. Lindsay, A., Hongu, K., Spears, K., Dyrek, A. & Manore, M. 2014, Journal of Nutrition Education Behavior 46 (1):43-53. doi: 10.1016/j.jneb.2013.03.013
Healthy choices start early To address childhood obesity, a team of faculty in early childhood education, exercise physiology/physical activity, and nutrition. Extension developed All 4 Kids, a program focusing on healthy lifestyle choices. Byington, T. A., Lindsay, A., Sigman-Grant, M. J. 2014, Journal of the National Association for the Education of Young Children, 69(5), 14-21
Influencing Head Start families thoughts and beliefs about health, nutrition, and physical activity. The results of an intervention comparison research study indicated that preschoolers can have an influence on their families’ food selection and physical activity habits. Byington, T. A., Lindsay, A. R., Loesch-Griffin, D., Brumett, S., & Sigman-Grant, M. 2013, National Head Start Association, NHSA Dialog, 16(3), 160-164
Interrater Reliability of a Field-Based Preschool Movement Skills Assessment To determine the interrater reliability of the Preschool Movement Assessment (PMA), a unique field-based movement assessment tool for use by early childhood professionals in preschool settings. Lindsay, A., Dyrek, A., Blitstein, J., Byington, T. & Sigman-Grant, M. 2018, Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior 50(10):1040-1045
Preschoolers can distinguish between healthy and unhealthy foods: The All 4 Kids Study This study determined changes in preschoolers' ability to distinguish between healthy and unhealthy foods and stated food preferences after participation in a nutrition education program. Sigman-Grant, M., Byington, T., Lindsay, A., Lu, M., Mobley, A., Fitzgerald, N. & Hildebrand, D. 2013, Journal of nutrition education and behavior, 03/2014, Volume 46, Issue 2
Music & Lyrics
Healthy Kids Resource Center: Music & Dance Section \| Healthy Kids Physical Toolkit Music and dance is fun, it doesn’t exclude children who are less skilled, it can be done at school or home, with friends or family and it promotes brain development and social interaction. Lindsay, A. 2020, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno
Recipes
Healthy Kids Resource Center: Recipes Section Packing a healthy lunchbox and other healthy ideas. Lindsay, A. 2020, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, IP

Publication Library